During Hamad 's rule, Qatar hosted two US military bases. It also remained close with Hamas and Iran. He supported and funded rebel movements, particularly in Libya and Syria during the Arab Spring while maintaining political stability at home. The Sheikh founded news media group Al Jazeera, through which he maintained his influence over the Arab World. He also played a part in negotiations between US and the Taliban.[3][4] In June 2013 Hamad in his brief televised address announced that he would hand power to his 33-year-old son, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.[5]

Hamad was born 1952. His mother died soon after the birth and he was raised by his uncle.[6]

He graduated from the British Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in 1971 and commissioned as a lieutenant colonel.[7] After graduation he was made commander of a mobile brigade, which later became a force called "Hamad Brigade".[7] In 1972 Hamad had the rank of general, and became army chief of staff.[7] Next he was appointed commander-in-chief of Qatar's armed forces with the rank of major general.[7] In 1977 he was named minister of defense.[7]

Hamad was appointed Heir Apparent of Qatar in 1977 and held the post until 1995.[8] In the early 1980s, he led the Supreme Planning Council, which sets Qatar's basic economic and social policies. From 1992 Hamad had a growing responsibility for the day-to-day running of the country,[9] including the development of Qatar's oil and natural gas resources. On 27 June 1995, after deposing his father in a palace coup, Hamad became Emir of Qatar and was crowned on 20 June 2000.[9]

In the early 1980s, Hamad led the Supreme Planning Council, which sets Qatar's basic economic and social policies. Starting in 1992, Hamad's father handed over responsibility for the day-to-day running of the country,[9] including the development of Qatar's oil and natural gas resources. With the support of his family, Hamad took control of the country in 1995 while his father was on vacation abroad.[9] While his father Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani was in Geneva, Switzerland, Hamad bin Khalifa deposed him in a bloodless coup d'état.[10] Hamad bin Khalifa engaged an American law firm to freeze his father's bank accounts abroad, thereby defeating a possible countercoup.[9] Thereafter, his father lived in exile in France and Abu Dhabi[10] until he returned to Qatar in 2004.

In a break with the traditional role, his second wife Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned has been a visible advocate for education and children's causes.[9]

A sportsman[11] and an accomplished diver, Hamad has played an active role in promoting and developing athletics in Qatar.[citation needed] His activism has enhanced the country's involvement and performance in a number of international competitions, including: winning an Olympic medal in track and field; hosting a wide variety of international sporting events such as the 15th Asian Games, GCC, Asian and World Youth soccer championships; and initiating the Qatar Open Tennis Championship which has grown to become one of two premier tennis competitions in the Middle East.

Under his rule the Qatari government helped to fund the Al Jazeera news network by an emiri decree.[12] In an analysis of Al Jazeera, Hugh Miles said that diplomats from other countries know that the Emir is the real power behind Al Jazeera but he also quotes a network spokesman denying 'countless times' this accusation, adding that many independent news sources also have subsidies from their respective governments without this implying editorial dabbling and explaining that trying to coerce the kind of journalists Al Jazeera has would be like trying to 'herd cats'.[13] Sheik Hamad is a distant cousin of the network chairman, Hamad bin Thamer Al Thani, who was previously Minister of Information in the Emir Al-Thani government. Following the initial US$137 million grant from Emir Al-Thani, Al Jazeera had aimed to become self-sufficient through advertising by 2001, but when this failed to occur, the Emir agreed to several consecutive loans[13] on a year-by-year basis (US$30 million in 2004,[14] according to Arnaud de Borchgrave). At an 3 October 2001 press conference, Colin Powell tried to persuade Sheik Hamad to shut down Al Jazeera while the New York based organization Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting commented that in those efforts, "Powell and other U.S. officials were reportedly upset by the channel re-airing old interviews with bin Laden and the inclusion of guests that are too critical of the United States on its programs."[15][16]The Washington Post reported in 2005 that Sheik Hamad was under pressure to privatize the network.[17]

On 25 June 2013 Hamad handed over power to his son Tamim in a televised speech.[18] In regards to the shift in power, Hamad said: "The time has come to open a new page in the journey of our nation that would have a new generation carry the responsibilities."[19]

In the arts, Hamad established the Qatar Museums Authority in 2005 which built the I. M. Pei designed Museum of Islamic Art Doha. Since opening, Qatar has become the world's biggest contemporary art buyer,[21] famously purchasing Cézanne's The Card Players in 2012 for over US$250 million.[22] The arts acquisitions' efforts were often represented by Sheikh Saud bin Mohammed Al Thani, Hamad's first cousin and president of Qatar’s National Council for Culture, Arts and the Heritage.[23]

Sheikh Hamad is famous for helping to establish the first Arab international news network, Al Jazeera, when he provided a loan of QAR 500 million ($137 million) to sustain Al Jazeera through its first five years.

On 25 June 2013, Hamad announced he would be handing over power to his 33-year old son Sheikh Tamim. The move was seen as groundbreaking for the Middle East, where leaders typically stay in office until their death.[55]

In October 2012, the Emir made a landmark visit to Gaza by being the first head of state to go there since the 2006 election of Hamas and the imposition of a blockade by Israel.[62] He took a flight to Egypt before being driven into Gaza. While there, the emir was thought to be launching a $254 million reconstruction project in the territory, and giving an address to the Palestinian people. Palestine's interior ministry was said to have a "well-prepared plan" to provide security for the emir during his stay.[63] Incidents nevertheless continued.[64]

Criticism and allegations of support to US designated terrorist organizations[edit]

Sheikh Hamad has three wives and twenty-four children, eleven sons and thirteen daughters:

He married his first wife Sheikha Mariam bint Muhammad Al-Thani, who is the daughter of his first cousin, Sheikh Muhammad bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani.[66] Hamad and his first wife have two sons and six daughters:

Hamad also has a third wife, his cousin Sheikha Noora bint Khalid Al-Thani, who is the daughter of his paternal uncle, Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani, who was the minister of the interior. Together they have four sons and five daughters:

Media sources claimed that Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani made a bid for Manchester United on 11 February 2011. Qatari Holdings offered £1.65 billion to Malcolm Glazer, the American owner of the club.[81] This follows a series of endeavors by the Emir and other Qataris into the World Football community, following Qatar's successful bid for the 2022 World Cup, and the Qatar Foundation's recent £125m shirt deal with FC Barcelona. In mid-June 2011, rumours resurfaced that Qatari Holdings were preparing a £2 Billion takeover bid and that the funding, that the club had been using for transfers since the start of June, was actually supplied by the Qataris and not the Glazer Family.[82] In 2012 it was rumoured that Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was in bid for Rangers F.C..[83] On 30 March 2012 Sheik Al Thani offered to buy KF Tirana, although the details have yet to be published.[84]

^ abcdefHarman, Danna (5 March 2007). "Backstory: The royal couple that put Qatar on the map". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 10 November 2010. He was of a new generation, open to the sorts of social, technological, economic, and political ideas from outside that his elders had never known. And, surrounding himself with young, Western-educated advisers, the new emir got right down to the business of remaking the national agenda of this traditional Wahhabi land.

^Benhorin, Yitzhak (25 September 2007). "Livni has surprise meeting with Qatari emir". Ynetnews. Retrieved 1 March 2012. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni met with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani Tuesday, in the highest-ranking meeting between Qatari and Israeli officials. The two met during a United Nations General Assembly summit in New York after the emir invited Livni and the Israeli delegation to join him in an unscheduled meeting outside of the UN headquarters. Officials said the meeting was "extremely positive." Livni discussed with the emir the importance of moderate Islamic nations – like Qatar – supporting the Palestinians in advancing the diplomatic process.